The 3rd Asia International Water Week (AIWW) is set to take place this September in Beijing, China. On behalf of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People's Republic of China, the co-host of the 3rd AIWW, I am pleased to invite water professionals and NGO representatives from around the world to join this event. Shining the spotlight on Enhancing Our Future Water Security, the 3rd AIWW aims to share water governance practices and successes in Asia, and pool collective wisdom to address global water challenges. 

Human civilizations have originated, developed and thrived around water and its proper protection and utilization transcend all peoples and nations. Particularly in the current and the foreseeable future, intensifying climate change impacts and human activities are making water challenges, including water disasters, water shortages, ecosystem degradation, and water environment damage, overcast and compound each other. How to enable better water governance for a water secure world becomes a matter of universal urgency. 

The water governance philosophy proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping - “prioritizing water conservation, pursuing spatially balanced development, conducting systematic governance and harnessing the synergy of government and market” - guides the water practices in China. Accordingly, such practices are problem-oriented, emphasize preparedness for worst cases, put risk prevention in the foremost place, adhere to systematic and innovative thinking, and address water challenges in a coordinated manner. Historic improvements are made in terms of stronger prevention and mitigation against disasters, more efficient and effective water use, optimized water resources allocation, and improved ecosystems and environment of rivers and lakes. With only 6% of the world’s freshwater resources, China manages to secure food and drinking water supply for nearly 20% of the world's population, and contributes more than 18% of the global total economic output. These achievements don’t belong just to China. They belong to the collective progress of the water-related goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and represent a major step toward building a community with a shared future for mankind. 

The Asia International Water Week, initiated by the Asia Water Council (AWC), is a pivotal international gathering dedicated to seeking actionable solutions for Asian water issues and promoting sustainable development and win-win cooperation in this region. Themed "Enhancing Our Future Water Security", the 3rd AIWW dives into a spectrum of relevant topics among its rich activities. Through strengthened dialogues and deepened cooperation, I hope we can build platforms for water-related collaborations using water governance experiences from among us. Jointly, let’s chart a new chapter of a shared water future for all.  

See you all in Beijing!

Water is the source of all life. However, global challenges such as the climate crisis are intensifying water issues worldwide. One of the regions suffering the most from climate impacts is Asia, and it is more vulnerable than other regions to climate change and water management.

The water problems in the Asian region, which is relatively vulnerable to water security, must be urgently resolved. Furthermore, cooperation in the water field for a sustainable society is essential to meeting the challenges of the international community. 

In this context, the Asia Water Council (AWC) is a leading water cooperation platform that provides practical solutions to water issues and is actively pursuing collaboration with the United Nations to amplify its voice worldwide.

As a flagship event of the AWC, the Asia International Water Week (AIWW) derives practical solutions for Asian water problems through the engagement of all stakeholders in the water sector in Asia and beyond, including governments, international organizations, academia, private sectors, and NGOs.

The 1st AIWW & 2nd AIWW were successfully held in the Republic of Korea (2017) and Indonesia (2022), and the upcoming 3rd AIWW will be held in Beijing, China.

Under the theme Enhancing Our Future Water Security, the program of the 3rd AIWW includes:

An announcement of a statement emphasizing the importance of solving the climate crisis, improving water welfare, and solving Asian water problems and urging participation for implementation; The Asian Water Issues Session will provide a venue to explore Asia's urgent water issues and policy and technical solutions; The Water Project Business Forum, Exhibitions, and other activities will be held to discuss the discovery and development of innovative technologies and projects to respond to global climate change and various water agenda.

Now that the world is paying attention to water issues, this 3rd AIWW will be a valuable opportunity to gather your thoughts and visions. This will greatly contribute to realizing water welfare and achieving prosperity in the Asian region.

We sincerely welcome all stakeholders in the water sector around the world to the 3rd AIWW to achieve the Water Action Agenda based on the SDG 6 global acceleration framework!